The wood you see in the equipment area is white pine.
It has one purpose only, holds the equipment door in place. There is no contact with water and has nothing to do with the sructure of the spa. The rest of the wood is Western Red Cedar. Marquis uses what they call a Marquis premium cedar which is better than "A" grade cedar (this is what the dealer should have said). As the tree grows, it produces a natural moisture barrier and insect repellant. Don't be concerned I just took a 24 yr. old Marquis in trade and there was absolutely no wood rot anywhere.